JACKPOT — An Elko County deputy, who had a temporary restraining order issued against him for two months, is being sued, along with other members of the Elko County Sheriff’s Office and Elko County.
Brad Hester, who is running for justice of the peace in Jackpot, is being sued for damages stemming from alleged stalking, an alleged “unlawful” search and alleged slanderous statements.
Hester won 53 out of the 99 total votes cast in the primary election for Jackpot justice of the peace.
Hester will still face Monica Burt in the general election come November, according to the county clerk’s office.
Richard Pike, the plaintiff, applied for the first temporary protection order against Hester on Nov. 15, and it was extended by Judge Al Kacin on Dec. 14, for two months.
Kacin concluded that Hester conducted an unauthorized and warrantless search of Pike’s workplace with a K-9 officer, according to court documents.
Pike filed a complaint with the sheriff’s office after the warrantless search. Once an internal investigation, prompted by Pike’s complaint, began, Pike testified, Hester began a “stop and stare” form of harassment.
“(Hester) began driving an Elko County Sheriff’s Office patrol vehicle, while in uniform, to (Richard Pike’s)” house and work, “over the span of several months,” seven times a day, often lasting for more than five minutes at a time, according to the lawsuit filed at the end of May.
According to Kacin’s ruling, “It is especially disturbing this conduct occurred after Pike contacted (Lt. Marvin) Morton in an effort to provoke an ‘internal affairs’ investigation of Hester.”
Deputy Sean Munson is also being sued by Pike for allegedly breaking into the Jackpot Recreation Center and searching Pike’s office with neither a warrant nor probable cause.
Munson allegedly conducted the search while acting as the field training officer for the sheriff’s office, while being accompanied by newly admitted deputies. Munson had no permission from the Recreation Center staff to conduct the search, according to the lawsuit.
Sheriff Jim Pitts, Rick Keema, the Elko County Sheriff’s Office and Elko County are being sued, partially because they “breached their legal duty to properly supervise” Hester and Munson, as well as for not properly disciplining them.
Richard Pike asked the court for a temporary injunction to put Hester and Munson on administrative leave without pay, enter an order declaring that Hester, Munson, Keema, Pitts, the sheriff’s office and Elko County violated his constitutional rights, and requested an award for various damages.
Pitts declined to comment and Julie Cavanaugh-Bill, representing Pike, was not available for comment by press time.
1. Jackpot deputy reassigned to Elko — December 20, 2011
2. Judge extends deputy protective order — December 15, 2011
3. Judge examines legal authority in deputy’s restraining order — December 14, 2011
4. Kacin to issue order on deputy — December 13, 2011
5. Jackpot deputy hearing Monday — December 9, 2011
6. Deputy reassigned, investigation under way — November 24, 2011
7. Jackpot coach files for protection against deputy — November 22, 2011
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